Heaven Changes How We Live Now

Read

Colossians 3:1–2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Think

What would change if we truly believed heaven was real—and not just real, but better than anything we can imagine? How would that belief shape the way we think, feel, and act right now?

Paul writes in Colossians 3 that since we’ve been raised with Christ, we’re to set our hearts and minds on things above. In other words, heaven isn’t just our destination. It’s our direction. And that shift in focus changes everything.

Think about driving a car. Wherever your eyes go, your hands tend to follow. If you stare at a tree on the side of the road, your car starts to drift that way. It's subtle, almost automatic. The same is true with life. Where your attention goes, your actions eventually follow. That’s why Paul calls us to fix our eyes—not on fear, or failure, or worldly success—but on heaven.

But what does it mean to “set your heart on things above”? It doesn’t mean we ignore the realities of this world or walk around with our heads in the clouds. It means we filter everything we face—our struggles, ambitions, relationships—through the lens of eternity. It means we remember that this life, as beautiful and painful as it is, is not the whole story.

When heaven is in view, the small annoyances of life begin to lose their grip. The traffic jam doesn’t seem as infuriating. The rude comment doesn’t carry the same weight. The endless scroll on social media feels a little less urgent. Because when your heart is anchored in the eternal, you’re not as easily shaken by the temporary.

Living with heaven in mind also gives purpose to the present. Your job isn’t just a paycheck; it’s a place where you carry God’s presence. Your family isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a mission field of love. Your talents aren’t just for self-expression; they’re tools for kingdom impact. Suddenly, everything becomes sacred. Because heaven isn’t just where we’re going—it’s what we’re building toward.

Think of it like preparing for a trip. When you’ve booked a vacation to a dream destination, everything changes. You start packing differently. You make plans, check the weather, imagine what it’ll be like. You talk about it with excitement. You’re still at home, but your heart is already in that future place. That’s what Paul means by setting your mind on things above. It’s living today with tomorrow in view.

And this mindset gives us courage. When life is hard—and it will be—we can endure, not because pain isn’t real, but because pain isn’t final. When we experience loss, we grieve, but not as those without hope. When we are rejected, misunderstood, or left behind, we don’t lose ourselves, because we know whose we are and where we’re headed. Heaven tells us that the story ends well. That gives us strength to keep going.

It also challenges our priorities. If heaven is real, then some of the things we chase after are simply not worth the energy. The comparison game, the endless pursuit of approval, the obsession with stuff—it all starts to feel like chasing smoke. That doesn’t mean we live in poverty or boredom. But it does mean we ask deeper questions. Is this helping me love God more? Is this pointing others to eternity? Is this building something that lasts?

At the same time, setting our minds on heaven doesn’t mean detachment. It means deeper engagement. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” That’s not escapism. That’s mission. We are not called to sit back and wait for heaven. We are called to live like citizens of heaven now. With compassion, integrity, joy, and courage. With hope that leaks out in how we talk and how we serve.

And finally, heaven-centered living brings joy. Real joy. Not because everything is easy, but because everything is heading somewhere good. The best is not behind us. It’s ahead. And that joy is contagious. People around you will start to notice that you live differently. More freely. Less frantically. More focused on what matters. You’re not just surviving. You’re moving toward something beautiful.

So, ask yourself: where is your mind set today? Is it caught in the chaos of headlines and deadlines? Or is it anchored to something higher? Something better? Something eternal?

Heaven isn’t just a comfort for the dying. It’s a compass for the living. And when you live with your eyes fixed on Jesus and your heart set on eternity, everything changes—starting right now.

Apply

Choose one small area of your life today—how you respond to someone, how you use your time, or how you handle a problem—and ask: how would I approach this differently if I truly believed heaven was real and near? Let that question guide your action, and see what changes.

Pray

God, thank you for the promise of heaven. Help me live today with eternity in view. Teach me to set my heart on what lasts. Help me see this world through your eyes and make choices that reflect your kingdom. Let my life point others toward the hope that is found in you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.